Chapter V.—Engagement
between Valens and Procopius near Nacolia in Phrygia; after which the
Usurper is betrayed by his Chief Officers, and with them put to
Death.

Under the consulate575575 366 a.d.
of Gratian and Dagalaïfus in the following year, the war was
begun. For as soon as the usurper Procopius, leaving Constantinople,
began his march at the head of his army toward the emperor, Valens
hastened from Antioch, and came to an engagement with him near a city
of Phrygia, called Nacolia. In the first encounter he was defeated; but
soon after he took Procopius alive, through the treachery of Agilo and
Gomarius, two of his generals, whom he subjected to the most
extraordinary punishments.576576 Ammianus Marcellinus, Rerum Gestarum, XXVI.
ix. 8–10, says that Florentius and Barchalba, after the fight at
Nacolia, delivered Procopius bound to Valens, and that Procopius was
immediately beheaded, and Florentius and Barchalba soon underwent the
same punishment. Philostorgius also (IX.) relates that Procopius was
beheaded, and that Florentius, who delivered him to Valens, was
burnt.
The traitors he caused to be executed by being sawn asunder,
disregarding the oaths he had sworn to them. Two trees standing near
each other being forcibly bowed down, one of the usurper’s legs
was fastened to each of them, after which the trees being suddenly
permitted to recover their erect position, by their rise rent the
tyrant into two parts; and thus torn apart the usurper perished.

576 Ammianus Marcellinus, Rerum Gestarum, XXVI.
ix. 8–10, says that Florentius and Barchalba, after the fight at
Nacolia, delivered Procopius bound to Valens, and that Procopius was
immediately beheaded, and Florentius and Barchalba soon underwent the
same punishment. Philostorgius also (IX.) relates that Procopius was
beheaded, and that Florentius, who delivered him to Valens, was
burnt.